​Tchaikovsky

"Christmas Time Is Here" was written by Lee Mendelson and Vince Guaraldi for the 1965 TV Special, "A Charlie Brown Christmas".

Listen to our song of the week here.

Featured Musician of the Week:

PYOTR ILYICH TCHAIKOVSKY1840 - 1893 Russia

MONDAY

Listening Example: 1812 Overture

Peter Tchaikovsky was one of the most loved of Russian composers during the late 1800’s. His music is famous for its beautiful melodies and strong emotion. Tchaikovsky was the first Russian composer whose music made a lasting impression internationally. He traveled from Russia to the United States in 1891 to perform at the first concert at Carnegie Hall in New York City.

Russian composer Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky was born on May 7, 1840, in Kamsko-Votkinsk, Vyatka, Russia. His father, Ilya, His parents sometimes took him to concerts, and after one such evening he complained that he could not fall asleep because of the music stuck in his head. ​Today’s listening example is The 1812 Overture. Written in 1880 to commemorate Russia's defence of its motherland against Napoleon's invading Grande Armée in 1812.The overture was conducted by Tchaikovsky himself in 1891 at the dedication of Carnegie Hall, in what became the first time a major European composer visited the United States.

LISTEN FOR . . .Around the 1:00 minute mark, you’ll start to recognize this song. In the original score, Tchaikovsky made notes of when the cannons should be lit and fired in order to match with the timing of the music. Yes….that’s right. Real Cannons were used as instruments to emphasize the point of this being a song about war.

MUSIC LISTENING LINK

TUESDAY

Listening Example: "The Swan Theme" from Swan Lake​

Tchaikovsky composed in what is known as the Romantic Period, which lasted from about 1830-1900. Romantic style music focused on beautiful melodies, full, lush harmonies and the expressing of emotions through music.

Interesting Factoid!In ballet, there is no speaking or singing. The story is told through dance, pantomime, and facial expressions. When ballerinas dance on the very tips of their toes, that is called “on pointe”. They must wear specially constructed shoes that have a hard base at the toes. Lamb's wool or other padding is placed around the toes to cushion them. Only trained female ballerinas dance on pointe.

Tchaikovsky was hired, or commissioned, to compose Swan Lake by the intendant, or highest administrator, of Moscow’s Russian Imperial Theaters. It is based on a Russian folk tale that tells the story of a princess who turns into a swan. It was not until after his death that Swan Lake became popular. After it’s first premiere, musicians, dancers, conductors and audiences felt the music was too complicated.

​Interesting Factoid Swan Lake is known for its demanding technical skills all because of one extremely gifted ballerina, Pierina Legnani (lynn yanni). She performed with such grace and discipline, the bar was quickly set in the minds of all who saw her. It's no surprise that every ballerina to dance the part of Odette/Odile after Legnani was judged against her performance. Legnani performed 32 fouettes (a fast whipping turn on one foot) in a row – a move many ballerinas loath because of its extreme difficulty. However, the magnitude of skill required to dance the part of Odette in Swan Lake is why the ballet remains a favorite for many girls; its a goal, an aspiration to take center stage. The prestige that comes with performing Swan Lake flawlessly is invaluable, and can turn ballerinas into stars overnight.

LISTEN FOR . . .Today’s listening example is the Finale of Swan Lake. Notice how the same little melody is played over and over again, but with slight variations in tempo, dynamics or key. Also, watch the dancers and see if you can tell what the story might be about in this scene. Who might be the antagonist, or the bad guy, in this story

MUSIC LISTENING LINK

Short documentary on Pierina Legnani and the Fouette

The Story of Swan Lake for Kids

WEDNESDAY

Listening Example: Waltz from "The Sleeping Beauty"

Unlike many of the composers and musicians we have learned about, Tchaikovsky was not a child prodigy. Tchaikovsky started taking piano lessons as a young child, but nobody noted any special talent or proficiency with his music at that time. Instead, he studied to become a civil servant. Denied a promotion, he entered the music conservatory in St. Petersburg at age 22 and began his serious musical studies. He graduated and accepted a post teaching at the music conservatory in Moscow, where his career as a professional composer truly began.

The score for Tchaikovsky's second ballet, "Sleeping Beauty," was written in 1889 and premiered in 1890 in St. Petersburg, Russia. It has since become one of the most famous pieces in the standard ballet repertoire. Tchaikovsky managed to write the longest ballet score of his career in a little over a month.

LISTEN FOR . . .As you listen, this music will be very familiar because it is also used in the Disney film “Sleeping Beauty.” In fact, much of the musical score is adapted from Tchaikovsky's "Sleeping Beauty" ballet. But George Bruns, who arranged the music, took much of the credit for the score. Tchaikovsky based his Sleeping Beauty on the same story as Disney, but Tchaikovsky’s version includes other faiytale characters during the wedding. These included Puss in Boots, Cinderella and her Prince Charming, and Little Red Riding Hood.

MUSIC LISTENING LINK

Does this sound familiar?

Act III of "The Sleeping Beauty" is Aurora's Wedding

THURSDAY

The Nutcracker ballet was adapted from a story called “The Nutcracker and the Mouse King” by German author E.T.A. Hoffmann. The first performance was at the famous Mariinsky Theatre in St. Petersburg, Russia in December, 1892. Surprisingly, the first production was not a success. However, the ballet has enjoyed great popularity since the late 1960’s. Major American ballet companies receive almost half their yearly ticket sales from performances of The Nutcracker.

The Nutcracker is about a girl named Clara and her dream that takes her on a magical journey; a nutcracker who is transformed into a prince; a king rat; a sugar plum fairy; and characters from different countries around the world. This music has become one of Peter Tchaikovsky’s most famous compositions.

As evidenced by the "1812 Overture," Tchaikovsky liked experimenting with new instrumentation for his compositions. In the "Dance of the Sugar Plum Fairy," he uses the celeste, an instrument that resembles a small upright piano in looks and produces a distinctive tinkling sound. The celeste was invented in 1886 and Tchaikovsky was one of the first composers to write music for it.

LISTEN FOR . . .The music the celesta makes represents the Sugar Plum Fairy. Tchaikovsky’s creativity led him to choose the celesta to write music that sounds enchanting, magical, and sparks the imagination of the listener. You may recognize the celesta from John Williams’ “Harry Potter” compositions. Let’s see if you can hear the celesta.

MUSIC LISTENING LINK

In the "Waltz of the Snowflakes", notice how the suspenseful music, the setting and lighting of the stage, and the costumes all work together to produce an atmosphere of cold snow.

FRIDAY

Listening Example: "Trepak"from Nutcracker Ballet

Tchaikovsky used a technique of writing called “exoticism” which became popular among European composers during the late 1800’s. This means he used: 1) scales, 2) melodies, 3) rhythm patterns and 4) instruments from faraway lands to create exotic sounding music.

EXOTICISM IN ART During the Romantic Period, examples of exoticism were popular in the visual arts as well as in music.

Seen Here: "The Combat of the Giaour and Hassan"

​By: Eugene Delacroix

Tchaikovsky wrote exciting music for a ballet full of fantasy. Clara’s “dream-journey” to the Land of Sweets is like stepping into a Candy Land game. The Nutcracker features exotic dances representing chocolate from Spain, coffee from Arabia, tea from China, and candy canes from Russia. Tchaikovsky used his musical creativity to produce exciting musical images for his listeners.

At the end of Clara’s adventure, she is returned home in a magical sleigh where she returns to her bed and wakes up to realize it has all been a dream.

LISTEN FOR . . .Our music today is called “Trepak”, an energetic, exciting dance which features Russian Cossack dancers who display their athletic skills with high leaps and strong kicks.

MUSIC LISTENING LINK

ADDITIONAL MUSIC LISTENING LINKS

YouTube video - Waltz of the Flowers from The Nutcracker Suite - Berlin Philharmonic - (5:47 min.) The harp provides the introduction follwed by French horns playing the melody. Behind the harp is a small celeste. The video provides an excellent opportunity to see the instruments being played close-up.

YouTube video - Nutcracker, Dance of the Mirlitons - Children perform the Dance of the Merlitons (Reed Pipes) which are flutes. This performance is at the Majiinsky Theater in St. Petersburg where the first Nutcracker production took place. (3:31 min.)